Gerrard In or Out?

[SoccerHQ]

He pressed Leicester on his own. I'm not saying he played well, as he when in possession he doesn't look like scoring, but off it he worked exceptionally hard.

Annoying we can't really make it work pushing him out wide at this level as there could still be a role for him in the 11 next season from a wider position if we properly coached him on the traning ground (and of course he did play there for Brentford when they had Maupay as CF).

Feels like another underwhelming season coming up if it's just him and Ings alternating as CF again next season or we keep pairing them up and crossing our fingers.

[Beard82]

He pressed Leicester on his own. I'm not saying he played well, as he when in possession he doesn't look like scoring, but off it he worked exceptionally hard.

Annoying we can't really make it work pushing him out wide at this level as there could still be a role for him in the 11 next season from a wider position if we properly coached him on the traning ground (and of course he did play there for Brentford when they had Maupay as CF).

Feels like another underwhelming season coming up if it's just him and Ings alternating as CF again next season or we keep pairing them up and crossing our fingers.

I can’t think they will both be as out of form next season.  There not bad players, I think Ollie oarticularly would benefit from cut backs more often

[chrisw1]

I know what you mean, but I think Ings and Buendia understand each other better. And let's face it, neither of our strikers is scoring.

Agreed.  I'd be playing both of them.  Ings is far better at link up play than Watkins, he is a very clever player.  We should just back him in a run of games to see if he can find his shooting boots.

Edit - I'd also like to try the line up you posted.  I think I mentioned the same but with Doug not Tim a while back, but either works for me 

                 Martinez

Cash     Konsa     Mings    Chrisene
      Iroegbunam     Nakamba
Buendia                       Ramsey
                  Coutinho
                  Ings

[kippaxvilla2]

I have many concerns but not least of them is the overwhelming sense of a lack of excitement - the summer may make me change my mind as will of course a good start to next season.  But it all seems so bland again.  Whatever else you say about what we had previously, it made me feel massively excited about the new era at the club again with proper Villa people involved at the top and on the field.  Now we have Gerrard whos only affiliation is with his own CV.

[Risso]

Now we have Gerrard whos only affiliation is with his own CV.

What are you basing that on? We had a proper Villa person as captain, and he fucked off after trying to do so in at least two previous seasons.

[Pat Mustard]

Regardless of whether things would work differently once Gerrard has his own personnel, I have to say it worries me that he is completely failing to get a tune out of what we have currently.  We've scored 2 goals in our last five games, one of which was a dodgy penalty and the other no more than a 90th minute consolation.  Say what you like about certain players shortcomings, that is a shocking return for a team that has the likes of Watkins, Ings, Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Ramsey etc. available.

[kippaxvilla2]

Now we have Gerrard whos only affiliation is with his own CV.

What are you basing that on? We had a proper Villa person as captain, and he fucked off after trying to do so in at least two previous seasons.

I take your point but we all know players are largely all about themselves.  I suppose I feel a bit like when SGT left first time out and we got Dr Jo.  Order was restored when Ron joined.  These types had an affinity for the club.  I don't get that impression with Mr G.  But as others say and it is a cliche, i am happy to be proved wrong.   

[kippaxvilla2]

I saw a stat earlier that since his opening four wins, we have four wins from 15.  Including the three on the trot in March. 

[Risso]

Regardless of whether things would work differently once Gerrard has his own personnel, I have to say it worries me that he is completely failing to get a tune out of what we have currently.  We've scored 2 goals in our last five games, one of which was a dodgy penalty and the other no more than a 90th minute consolation.  Say what you like about certain players shortcomings, that is a shocking return for a team that has the likes of Watkins, Ings, Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Ramsey etc. available.

We could and should have won the West Ham game. We had more total shots and shots on target, and Ings missed an absolute sitter. The Arsenal game was dire and we never looked like scoring, but we created loads of chances against Spurs and yet again Watkins and Ings couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo despite having several chances put on a plate for them. I think Gerrard fully deserves his share of the blame for the Arsenal game, as he set us up all wrong, but the Spurs game was mostly on the players.

[Beard82]

It feels like there is a big gamble on getting the players in of the calibre he wants. 

Its weather those players are better, and if they come to villa.

I worry that there wont be many that tick both boxes

[mrfuse]

I know what you mean, but I think Ings and Buendia understand each other better. And let's face it, neither of our strikers is scoring.

Agreed.  I'd be playing both of them.  Ings is far better at link up play than Watkins, he is a very clever player.  We should just back him in a run of games to see if he can find his shooting boots.

Edit - I'd also like to try the line up you posted.  I think I mentioned the same but with Doug not Tim a while back, but either works for me 

                 Martinez

Cash     Konsa     Mings    Chrisene
      Iroegbunam     Nakamba
Buendia                       Ramsey
                  Coutinho
                  Ings

I disagree, nothing I've seen suggests Ings is a clever player. If he doesn't score which is pretty much most games he becomes anonymous.

At least when Ollie doesn't score he puts himself about like he did in the Leicester game.

[brontebilly]

I know what you mean, but I think Ings and Buendia understand each other better. And let's face it, neither of our strikers is scoring.

Agreed.  I'd be playing both of them.  Ings is far better at link up play than Watkins, he is a very clever player.  We should just back him in a run of games to see if he can find his shooting boots.

Edit - I'd also like to try the line up you posted.  I think I mentioned the same but with Doug not Tim a while back, but either works for me 

                 Martinez

Cash     Konsa     Mings    Chrisene
      Iroegbunam     Nakamba
Buendia                       Ramsey
                  Coutinho
                  Ings

I disagree, nothing I've seen suggests Ings is a clever player. If he doesn't score which is pretty much most games he becomes anonymous.

At least when Ollie doesn't score he puts himself about like he did in the Leicester game.

Plenty of games Watkins has played this season he has nothing of the sort, bar handing back possession constantly.

[ROBBO]

It doesn't matter what we think for or against, there is no way barring losing all our remaining games and getting relegated that Gerrard will be replaced.

[Mister E]

It feels like there is a big gamble on getting the players in of the calibre he wants. 
Its weather those players are better, and if they come to villa.
I worry that there wont be many that tick both boxes

This is where scouting comes into play: where is the next undiscovered Kante? What about the next emerging Kane?
My fear is that we are only shopping in Harrods whereas we should also be digging around the local curiosity shop as well.
We didn't do badly on value for money when we bought McGinn, for example.

[chrisw1]

I have many concerns but not least of them is the overwhelming sense of a lack of excitement - the summer may make me change my mind as will of course a good start to next season.  But it all seems so bland again.  Whatever else you say about what we had previously, it made me feel massively excited about the new era at the club again with proper Villa people involved at the top and on the field.  Now we have Gerrard whos only affiliation is with his own CV.

A few wins will soon change this I'm sure.  And how many managers truly have an afilliation with a club until they've been there for a while?  Either he does a good job or he doesn't.  The Liverpool thing really is a red herring that people are getting worked up about for no reason.  He'll be sacked well before Klopp leaves anfield and if he isn't then we'll be sitting pretty in the top 6.